In a letter to team executives, NFL commissioner Roger Goodell said "we believe that everyone should stand for the National Anthem," and the issue of player protests will be addressed during next week's fall meeting.

The letter comes two days after Vice President Mike Pence abruptly left a game featuring protests and Cowboys owner Jerry Jones threatened to bench those who kneel during the anthem. Earlier on Tuesday, a league spokesman said on in a media call that the issue would be "front and center on the agenda."

Advertisement

Goodell's letter urges teams to "move past" the anthem controversy by developing a plan to be reviewed at next week's meeting for an "in-season platform to promote the work of our players on these core issues, and that will help promote positive change in our country."

Often at odds with players over disciplinary issues and rule changes, Goodell tried to toe the line between protecting the NFL's strong link to patriotism and recognizing players' feelings.

Of the anthem, the letter said "it is an important moment in our game. We want to honor our flag and our country, and our fans expect that of us. We also care deeply about our players and respect their opinions and concerns about critical social issues."

President Donald Trump seemingly responded to Goodell's letter Wednesday morning, tweeting: "It is about time that Roger Goodell of the NFL is finally demanding that all players STAND for our great National Anthem-RESPECT OUR COUNTRY"

It is about time that Roger Goodell of the NFL is finally demanding that all players STAND for our great National Anthem-RESPECT OUR COUNTRY

The practice of players kneeling or sitting during the national anthem has grown since former 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick began doing it last season to protest racial injustice and police brutality. While there are fans, including military members, who respect the actions, many others are disgusted -- booing loudly, burning jerseys and even selling off their tickets.

Goodell also wrote that the league has heard directly from "several players" about why the issue matters to them and how the league can support them. He said the league met with the NFL Players Association last week.

President Donald Trump has crusaded against the protests, creating an escalating feud that started with him using a derogatory term to refer to players who kneel. It reached a new peak with Pence's walkout on Sunday.

Early Tuesday, Trump suggested over Twitter that the U.S. change its tax laws to punish organizations like the NFL if members are “disrespecting” the national anthem or flag. The NFL gave up its federal tax-exempt status a few years ago and now files tax returns as a taxable entity. So it’s unlikely that Trump’s proposal would change anything.

Goodell said the dispute "is threatening to erode the unifying power of our game, and is now dividing us, and our players, from many fans across the country."

The NFL has no explicit rule requiring players to stand during the anthem, though its gameday operations manual says they "should."